CenterPoint Energy facing scrutiny after Hurricane Beryl power outages
Lawmakers in Texas are set to interrogate CenterPoint Energy leadership during a state select committee hearing in response to the power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. The storm left over 2 million CenterPoint customers without electricity, prompting questions about the utility company’s preparation and response.
State Leaders Demand Answers
State leaders have expressed their intention to seek answers regarding the state and CenterPoint Energy’s handling of hurricanes and tropical storms. Senator Paul Bettencourt, a member of the special committee convened by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, is adamant about holding CenterPoint accountable for what he considers inadequate infrastructure improvements and poor communication with the public.
Proposed Actions and Response from CenterPoint Energy
In response to the hearing, CenterPoint Energy has declared its commitment to regaining the trust of its customers through a series of initiatives aimed at fortifying the grid, enhancing communication, and improving storm response. The company has already begun implementing over 40 specific actions to achieve these goals.
Moreover, CenterPoint Energy issued an apology to customers during a hearing before the state Public Utilities Commission, vowing to address every aspect of their storm response, including vegetation management. However, Senator Bettencourt remains critical, emphasizing the need for legislation to impose additional oversight on the utility company.
As the hearing approaches, it is clear that CenterPoint Energy is under intense scrutiny, and state leaders are determined to ensure that necessary improvements are made to prevent similar power outages in the future.
